A Self-Aligning Ball Bearing is a type of ball bearing that can accommodate misalignment between the shaft and housing without creating excessive friction or reducing bearing life. This type of bearing is designed to allow the inner ring of the bearing to rotate freely within the outer ring, which has a spherical raceway. This feature enables the bearing to compensate for shaft misalignment caused by shaft deflection, mounting errors, or thermal expansion.

Self-aligning ball bearings consist of two rows of balls and an outer ring with a spherical raceway and an inner ring with two raceways at an angle to the bearing axis. The balls are held in place by a cage, which keeps them evenly spaced and prevents them from touching each other.

When a load is applied to a self-aligning ball bearing, the balls roll freely between the two raceways, distributing the load evenly across the bearing. The outer ring can rotate in any direction, allowing the bearing to compensate for misalignment between the shaft and housing. This reduces the stress on the bearing and prolongs its life.

Self-aligning ball bearings are commonly used in applications where shaft misalignment is likely, such as in conveyor systems, paper mills, and mining equipment. They can also be used in applications where there are high radial loads, moderate axial loads, and where high speeds are required.

Overall, self-aligning ball bearings are a versatile and reliable type of bearing that can tolerate misalignment and provide long-lasting performance